Law Update: Aided by non-lawyers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Franchises to carry out legal aid work may in the future be awarded to non- lawyers, according to John Taylor MP, parliamentary secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department. Speaking on a programme of continuing education for lawyers, produced by Legal Network Television for broadcast on 10 June, Mr Taylor says: 'It is in our mind as a forward development to extend franchises for legal assistance beyond those who are qualified as lawyers. Not at the moment though; all present thinking requires that there be a qualified lawyer in the franchising organisation.'
Mr Taylor says that the future could offer encouragement for agencies other than solicitors providing legal advice. 'In other professions, the Institute of Legal Executives and the Patent Agents, for example, are two bodies who are currently applying for rights of audience before the courts,' he says. 'The highest standards must be sustained but there's no reason why the practice of the law has to be forever confined to barristers and solicitors, like the Medes and Persians.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments